The two revolutions were very different. The Russian revolution was not a blowout and they could have very easily lost. Lenin's whole effort was to have the proletariat dominate Europe; his means for doing this were to capitalize on the crisis of capitalism. Lenin was able to lead as a dictator in a government that was supposedly ruled by the workers. He was able to keep his control on the country without having to kill too many people. Lenin was a master at propaganda and he was able to convince the population that his leadership was necessary because of problems that needed solved, this is very similar to Robespierre who was only listened to because of the crisis France was in.
The French revolution was one sided the lower class rose up and easily destroyed the monarchy. Robespierre came to power as the head of the committee of public safety even though he had no other government experience. He was a radical nationalist and believed that his morality was incorruptible. After the tennis court oath Robespierre began to rise in popularity in the Jacobins club. Robespierre leaded by doing, he viciously attacked the views of the Girondists, Hebertists, and the Dantonists. When appointed to the committee of public safety he began to see any attack on his leadership as an attack on France. This is because he considered his views as the general will of the French public. Robespierre's main leadership tool during the reign of terror was terror, but this was a double sided guillotine, this also